Celeron 2981U vs Core i3-330M

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Celeron 2981U vs Core i3-330M FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron 2981U vs Core i3-330M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron 2981U

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $137 MSRP, while Core i3-330M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-330M

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,032 vs 1,036).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2981U better than Core i3-330M?

Yes. Celeron 2981U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron 2981U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2981U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Celeron 2981U is the better buy right now. Celeron 2981U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $137 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron 2981U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron 2981U vs Core i3-330M Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron 2981U

The Celeron 2981U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,036 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-330M

The Core i3-330M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,032 points. Launch price was $49.

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Processing Power

The Celeron 2981U packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-330M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2981U versus 0.13 GHz on the Core i3-330M — a 169.9% clock advantage for the Celeron 2981U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Celeron 2981U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-330M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2981U scores 1,036 against the Core i3-330M's 1,032 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron 2981U. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron 2981U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-330M.

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Core i3-330M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz+1131%	0.13 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.13 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	2 MB	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,036	1,032
Geekbench 6 Single	—	317
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	689

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron 2981U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-330M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2981U versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i3-330M — the Celeron 2981U supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 2981U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Celeron 2981U) vs 16 (Core i3-330M) — the Core i3-330M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2981U) and HM55,PM55,QM57 (Core i3-330M).

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Core i3-330M
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2981U) vs VT-x / EPT (Core i3-330M). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2981U) and Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale) (Core i3-330M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2981U targets Budget, Core i3-330M targets Legacy Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2981U rivals Pentium 2117U; Core i3-330M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.

Feature	Celeron 2981U	Core i3-330M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics (Haswell)	Intel HD Graphics (Arrandale)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x / EPT
Target Use	Budget	Legacy Budget